JLF SIGNATURE ELEMENTS: Fire on the Mountain—Hearths

JLF SIGNATURE ELEMENTS: Fire on the Mountain—Hearths

The Home of the Year sitting porch is a favorite gathering spot year-round.

When the weather outside is frightful, fireplaces become the focal point for cozy camaraderie. In the Rocky Mountain West, epic adventures outside always end with unwinding fireside. Within this context, laughter and logs seem to go hand in hand with the stone hearths we design.

The log buildings of yore were designed as bunkers for dwellers to hunker down during brutal winters. Now, transparency predominates: “Today we want to experience the outdoors all the time, even when we’re inside,” Paul Bertelli says. Case in point: The Home of the Year’s enclosed porch has become a favorite destination for year-round relaxing and dining, with its large stone fireplace anchoring the glass-encased space.

Referencing the vernacular of historic homesteads, this intimate compound incorporates hardworking features such as this double-duty fireplace, which warms both the living room and the kitchen sitting nook. To deepen the plot, the floorboards framing the fireplace bear the marks of the foundry from which they were reclaimed.

Inspired by 18th century stone barns, this young family’s basecamp folds contemporary elements into its antique envelope, as epitomized by the living area and fireplace: a custom steel screen complements the dry-stack stone frame—the perfect convergence of rusticity and romance.

For this riverside tribute to the Tetons, we angled timbers from a 19th century homestead as dramatic frames for key features, like the stone fireplace in the master bedroom. The eye converges on the dry-stack chimney capping the classic hearth.

ABOUT JLF ARCHITECTS: Building timeless structures rooted in eloquence and elegance, Jackson- and Bozeman-based JLF Architects sources authentic materials and regional solutions to create place-based houses reflective of their contexts, whether that be the Rocky Mountains or the Eastern Seaboard. Our award-winning portfolio features inspired custom designs achieved through a genuine alliance with Big-D Signature, built over 17 years of collaboration. Our streamlined process unites passionate architects with dedicated builders to enable the collective imagination of visionary artisans working with visionary clients. For more information, visit www.JLFArchitects.com.